Photo: Pikes Peak State College main campus in Colorado Springs.
June 18, 2025
Industry leaders, educators, and workforce development professionals convened at Pikes Peak State College on June 13 for the Pikes Peak Region Opportunity Now Talent Summit to address workforce challenges and develop strategic plans.
The summit, the seventh and final in a statewide series established under HB24-1365, was hosted by the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) in collaboration with the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC), and regional hosts Pikes Peak Workforce Center, and the Southern Colorado Economic Development District. Discussions focused on advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, and technology for El Paso and Teller counties.
CWDC Managing Director Lee Wheeler-Berliner joined other key presenters, including Pikes Peak Workforce Center Director Traci Marquez, OEDIT Strategic Advisor for Workforce Development Marie Pecerrero, and Pikes Peak State College President Lance Bolton. Bolton co-presented with the Pikes Peak Business and Education Alliance to highlight work and accomplishments of an Opportunity Now grant supporting various talent development programs designed to help align education with workforce needs, particularly in high-demand industries.
Industry Breakouts: Priorities and Action Areas
Key takeaways from the summit included the need for increased awareness of existing programs that address workforce needs and the desire for a shared referral source, particularly in the technology and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Attendees recognized the complexities of navigating 17 school districts and emphasized the importance of seamless and collaborative partnerships. The region's diverse landscape, encompassing both urban and rural areas, was also highlighted, with a commitment to developing solutions that intentionally support rural communities.
Industry breakout sessions identified priorities and action areas for the next two to five years.
Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced manufacturing priorities included creating a centralized resource for businesses and a talent pool registry, with a long-term vision of establishing a central manufacturing hub and utilizing experienced workers as trainers, while prioritizing rural access.
Aerospace & Defense
A key vision is resolving security clearance issues to broaden the talent pool. Strategies include increasing pathways for talent and promoting the state's "Clearance Ready Colorado" curriculum developed by CDLE’s Employment & Training division.
Technology
The technology sector emphasized the unprecedented rate of workforce change due to technological advancements, particularly in Artificial Intelligence. Discussions centered on meeting parents where they are to shift mindsets about career options, funding regional coordinators, improving connectivity with feeder programs, joining talent referral pipelines, and launching a marketing campaign.
Looking Ahead
The Opportunity Now Regional Talent Summits are part of a statewide series aimed at developing two- and five-year tactical workforce plans tailored to each region’s needs. These insights will be shared in the 2025 Talent Pipeline Report and incorporated into local workforce areas’ Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Local Plans.
The CWDC will manage the implementation and reporting processes to ensure progress is being made on the tactical workforce plans. This effort will be done collaboratively with OEDIT and local workforce boards who will lead continued engagement of employers within the region and facilitate implementation of the plans. For more information, explore the Opportunity Now Summit webpage.